By Danny "Ralsu" Gourley

About This List
Please refer to the Top Ten Free-to-Play Games Portal to find out how to get a game you make or like on this list.

Month in Review
The Top Ten had three major changes this month. First, Deco Online broke in at number 6, knocking Requiem: Bloodymare off of the list. My infatuation with Deco quickly faded once I got beyond the tutorial. While the game has a fun skill tree system, it is really a grind from level 10 on. By then end of July, I felt like the #10 slot where Deco sits could also easily go back to Requiem or even Fiesta Online. Deco and Fiesta are a lot alike in that they make great introductions to massively-multiplayer online games for teens. Deco has a better skill system while Fiesta has a better story. Requiem is a mature game filled with blood and dark images. It just becomes a colossal grind after level 20.

The second major change this month was the death of Mythos. I had begun to suspect something was wrong when production seemed to grind to a halt in June. I was worried that the switch to a persistent over world, which still believe was the right direction for the game, was causing too many problems and putting the game back into an alpha phase. It turned out that things were much worse that I imagined, and Flagship Studios was in serious financial problems. In the end, Mythos was shut down and labeled as on "hiatus." It was a terrific game--better than many games that charge a subscription. I am sad that it is dead and will no longer be in the Top Ten.

The final major change in July was the emergence of Atlantica Online. I'd been watching the news about this strategy game from NDOORS with cautious optimism. Once I tried the beta, I was blown away. Atlantica has a decent story, exciting combat, and solid graphics. It debuted at #1 near the end of July and will surely remain there for a while.

The List
For the month of August, I have at least three games on my radar. A reader suggested Cabal Online a few weeks back, so that is first. The folks at Codemasters contacted me and asked that I give Archlord a try. Since it dropped the subscription component, I have been thinking about it anyway. It comes second. After that, my pick is Red Stone. If I get extra time, I will look at the Perfect World International beta to see if the translation and controls are any better.

Here are my Top Ten Free-to-Play Games for July 2008.

Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Ten Ton Hammer network or staff.

Top Ten Free-to-Play Games July 31, 2008
Rank	Previous		Game
1	1		Atlantica Online - (www.playatlantica.com) NDOORS Atlantica Portal Atlantica is really good. Check it out when the beta opens back up in August.
2	2		Mabinogi - (http://mabinogi.nexon.net) NEXON Mabonogi Portal Mabinogi has a fun skills system. Talking to just about any NPC can net you a skill. It encourages exploration.
3	3		Dungeon Runners - (http://www.dungeonrunners.com) NCSoft Dungeon Runners Portal Dungeon Runners hounds you to upgrade to a paying membership. At least it does it in the same tongue-in-cheek style as the story itself.
4	4		Rohan: Blood Feud - (www.playrohan.com) YNK Interactive Rohan Portal Rohan continues to be fun for me. I've seen a bit of the grind kick in during the late twenties, causing many gamers to give it up.
5	5		Dream of Mirror Online - (http://domo.aeriagames.com) Aeria Games & Entertainment DOMO Portal Dream of Mirror Online has a fleshed out story. It keeps players from feeling like everything is a kill quest.
6	6		Wakfu - (www.wakfu.com) Ankama Wakfu Portal Wakfu has slipped under the radar again, but fans of strategy games should keep an eye on it.
7	7		Magic World Online - (http://mwo.enjoymmo.com) Goldcool Games Magic World Online Portal Magic World Online features Diablo-like combat with very deep lore wrapped in a fairly ugly package. The story is terrific, though.
8	8		Runes of Magic - (www.runesofmagic.com) Frogster Runes of Magic Portal Runes of Magic gives me plenty of lore. The graphics are reminescent of World of Warcraft. I sincerely hope the game play is good.
9	9		Warrior Epic - (http://warriorepic.com) Possibility Space Warrior Epic Portal Warrior Epic looks to be a fresh take on the dungeon crawler. Can Possibility Space do it well?
10	10		Deco Online - (http://www.joymax.com/deco/) JOYMAX Deco Online Portal Deco Online has a really fun skill system, but the game is mostly a grind. It holds this spot one more week at least, but after that I am not so sure.

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